FOI 26-191 SAS and Uni Communications for Tech to Para
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-191 SAS and Uni Communications for Tech to Para
- Request Date
- 14 Apr 2026
- Response Date
- 24 Apr 2026
- Information Requested
Scope: Please provide recorded information held by your organisation relating to discussions or correspondence with the Scottish Ambulance Service regarding ambulance technicians (or equivalent non-paramedic clinical staff) accessing, entering, or progressing onto university paramedic degree programmes. Specifically, I request:
- Copies of correspondence (including emails, letters, or briefing papers) between your organisation and the Scottish Ambulance Service which discuss:
- admission of ambulance technicians to paramedic degree programmes
- progression pathways from technician roles to paramedic training via university routes
- recognition of prior learning (RPL) or advanced entry for such staff
- Any meeting minutes, notes, or agendas where the above topics were discussed with the Scottish Ambulance Service.
- Any draft or final agreements, proposals, or policy documents relating to:
- recruitment or admission of Scottish Ambulance Service staff into paramedic degree programmes
- partnership arrangements specifically concerning technician-to-paramedic progression
Timeframe: 1 January 2018 to present.
Clarifications to assist processing: - I am interested in corporate or departmental-level records; personal data (e.g. names/contact details) may be redacted as appropriate. - If the full request exceeds cost limits, please prioritise: (a) meeting minutes and formal papers, then (b) summaries or briefings, before (c) email correspondence. - Please interpret “ambulance technician” broadly to include equivalent roles where terminology varies. If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption(s) applied and provide the reasoning.
- Response
Q1 - The Scottish Ambulance Service engages in ongoing dialogue with Higher Education Institutions regarding paramedic education and workforce development. However, this engagement is generally informal and operational in nature, and the Service does not routinely create or retain records of these discussions. In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, the Service does not hold recorded correspondence of the type described in your request.
The Service does hold a draft Outline Business Case and associated project documentation relating to the exploration of a potential “Technician to Paramedic – earn as you learn” pathway. This work was exploratory, did not progress to implementation, and formed part of internal options appraisal and development thinking.
The information within these documents is exempt from disclosure under sections 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) of the Act, as disclosure would be likely to inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation in relation to future workforce and education policy development. The public interest in maintaining a protected space for candid consideration of undeveloped options outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this time.
Q2 - The Scottish Ambulance Service does not hold meeting minutes, notes or agendas documenting discussions with universities specifically relating to the matters outlined in your request. While representatives of the Service participate in national forums such as the Scottish Collaboration of Paramedic Education (now the Paramedic Education Network), and in annual performance enhancement review meetings hosted by NHS Education Scotland, the Service does not create or retain minutes of these meetings. In accordance with section 17 of the Act, this information is not held.
Q3 - The Scottish Ambulance Service does not hold any draft or final agreements, policies, or formal partnership arrangements governing the recruitment, admission or academic progression of Service staff into university paramedic degree programmes. Admission criteria, recognition of prior learning and academic decision‑making are determined solely by individual Higher Education Institutions in line with their own regulations and the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council. In accordance with section 17 of the Act, this information is not held.
As outlined above, a draft business case exploring a potential internal Technician to Paramedic pathway is held; however, this work did not progress beyond initial development and is exempt from disclosure under sections 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii).
